Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Motorola razr (2023)
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the premium choice here, boasting a stunning 6.3" display that hits a peak brightness of 3000 nits. In real-world use, this means you can see it clearly even in direct sunlight, perfect for outdoor adventures. What matters most here is the performance difference. The iPhone 17 Pro's A19 Pro chip with 12GB of RAM makes it a powerhouse, capable of handling heavy tasks like gaming or photography with ease. On the other hand, the razr's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and 8GB of RAM are perfectly adequate for day-to-day use but may lag behind during intensive tasks, especially since it has a smaller 128GB of storage compared to the iPhone's base 256GB option.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Motorola razr (2023)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Motorola razr (2023)

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Motorola razr (2023)
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Motorola razr (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(108)Best Buy | ★4.3(513)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 3 Android OS upgrades and 4 years of bi-monthly security updates |
Processor | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Adreno 644 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) | 128GB UFS 2.2 (Non-expandable) |
Display Size | 6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | Main: 6.9" / External: 1.5" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Main: FHD+ pOLED, LTPO, 144Hz / External: OLED, 60Hz |
Resolution | 2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi) | Main: 2640 x 1080 (413 ppi) / External: 194 x 368 (282 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | Main: Up to 144Hz / External: 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1,400 nits (Main Peak) / 1,000 nits (External Peak) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm, OIS, Laser AF (Quad Pixel to 16MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Macro Vision |
Telephoto Camera | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 40x | Up to 8x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps |
Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7µm (Quad Pixel to 8MP) |
Battery | 4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed) | 4,200mAh (Non-removable) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher | 30W TurboPower (Charger NOT included in US retail box) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W | 5W Wireless Charging |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave - Carrier Dependent), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber) | IP52 (Water-repellent coating - Splash Resistant only) |
Dimensions | 5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm) | Open: 6.73 x 2.91 x 0.29 in (170.8 x 74.0 x 7.35 mm) / Closed: 3.47 x 2.91 x 0.62 in |
Weight | 7.27 oz (206 g) | 6.65 oz (188.6 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Vegan Leather finish, Stereo Speakers (Dolby Atmos), Ready For (Wireless only) |
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro
✓ Pros:
- • Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- • Triple 48MP camera system with new 4x tetraprism telephoto
- • A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM and vapor chamber cooling
- • Excellent battery life (up to 33 hours video playback)
- • Fast 40W wired charging and 25W wireless charging
✗ Cons:
- • Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US models)
- • Telephoto aperture (f/2.8) is narrower than the main lens, impacting low-light zoom
- • Heavier than the standard iPhone 17
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Motorola razr (2023)
✓ Pros:
- • Most accessible price point for a new foldable phone in the US
- • Battery life (4,200mAh) exceeds that of the premium Razr+ and Galaxy Z Flip5
- • Premium vegan leather design feels grippy and durable
- • Main screen is excellent: 144Hz LTPO with invisible crease mechanics
- • Includes wireless charging (albeit slow 5W)
✗ Cons:
- • External display (1.5") is tiny and only useful for basic notifications (unlike Razr+)
- • Charger is NOT included in the box (unlike previous Moto G phones)
- • Performance (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1) is mid-range, not flagship level
- • IP52 rating is weak compared to Samsung's IPX8 (submersion protection)
- • USB 2.0 port means slow data transfer and no wired video output
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Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the better buy for most people - its 3000 nits peak brightness crushes the Motorola razr (2023). That said, grab the razr if you want to save money and enjoy a foldable design - it's the most affordable new foldable in the US.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro if: you need the brightest display for outdoor use, you shoot high-quality videos with its 4K capabilities, or you want the best performance for gaming.
Choose the Motorola razr (2023) if: you want a unique foldable design, you prefer a larger 6.9" screen for media consumption, or you need a phone that's easier on your wallet.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro excels if you value brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). Motorola razr (2023) is better if you prioritize most accessible price point for a new foldable phone in the us. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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